摘要:
A process for improving the accuracy of critical dimension measurements of features patterned on a photoresist layer using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) is disclosed herein. The process includes providing an electron beam to the photoresist layer and transforming the surface of the photoresist layer before the SEM inspection. The surface of the photoresist layer is transformed to trap the outgassing volatile species and dissipates built up charge in the photoresist layer, resulting in SEM images without poor image contrast.
摘要:
A system and method are provided to facilitate dual damascene interconnect integration with two imprint acts. The method provides for creation of a pair of translucent imprint molds containing the dual damascene pattern to be imprinted. The first imprint mold of the pair contains the via features of the dual damascene pattern and the second imprint mold of the pair contains the trench features. The via feature imprint mold is brought into contact with a first imaging layer deposited upon a first transfer layer which is deposited upon a dielectric layer of a substrate. The trench feature imprint mold is brought into contact with a second imaging layer deposited upon a second transfer layer which is deposited upon the first imaging layer of the substrate. When each imaging layer is exposed to a source of illumination, it cures with a structure matching the features of the corresponding imprint mold. A sequence of etches transfer and combine the via features from the first imaging layer with the trenches from the second imaging layer to create the dual damascene openings within the dielectric layer.
摘要:
Disclosed are photolithographic systems and methods, and more particularly systems and methodologies that enhance imprint mask feature resolution. An aspect generates feedback information that facilitates control of imprint mask feature size and resolution via employing a scatterometry system to detect resolution enhancement need, and decreasing imprint mask feature size and increasing resolution of the imprint mask via a trim etch procedure.
摘要:
A system for optimizing critical dimension uniformity in semiconductor manufacturing processes is provided. The system comprises a bake plate simulator to model a physical bake plate. A finite element analysis engine uses information from the bake plate simulator to calculate missing information. A lithography simulator predicts outcomes of a lithography process using information from the bake plate simulator and the finite element analysis engine. The system can be used in a predictive capacity or as part of a process control system.
摘要:
A system and method are provided to facilitate dual damascene interconnect integration with two imprint acts. The method provides for creation of a pair of translucent imprint molds containing the dual damascene pattern to be imprinted. The first imprint mold of the pair contains the via features of the dual damascene pattern and the second imprint mold of the pair contains the trench features. The via feature imprint mold is brought into contact with a first imaging layer deposited upon a first transfer layer which is deposited upon a dielectric layer of a substrate. The trench feature imprint mold is brought into contact with a second imaging layer deposited upon a second transfer layer which is deposited upon the first imaging layer of the substrate. When each imaging layer is exposed to a source of illumination, it cures with a structure matching the features of the corresponding imprint mold. A sequence of etches transfer and combine the via features from the first imaging layer with the trenches from the second imaging layer to create the dual damascene openings within the dielectric layer.
摘要:
Systems and methodologies are provided that account for surface variations of a wafer by adjusting grating features of an imprint lithography mask. Such adjustment employs piezoelectric elements as part of the mask, which can change dimensions (e.g., a height change) and/or move when subjected to an electric voltage. Accordingly, by regulating the amount of electric voltage applied to the piezoelectric elements a controlled expansion for such elements can be obtained, to accommodate for topography variations of the wafer surface.
摘要:
A system and method are provided to facilitate dual damascene interconnect integration with two imprint acts. The method provides for creation of a pair of translucent imprint molds containing the dual damascene pattern to be imprinted. The first imprint mold of the pair contains the via features of the dual damascene pattern and the second imprint mold of the pair contains the trench features. The via feature imprint mold is brought into contact with a first imaging layer deposited upon a first transfer layer which is deposited upon a dielectric layer of a substrate. The trench feature imprint mold is brought into contact with a second imaging layer deposited upon a second transfer layer which is deposited upon the first imaging layer of the substrate. When each imaging layer is exposed to a source of illumination, it cures with a structure matching the features of the corresponding imprint mold. A sequence of etches transfer and combine the via features from the first imaging layer with the trenches from the second imaging layer to create the dual damascene openings within the dielectric layer.
摘要:
The subject invention provides a system and method for improving the process margin of a lithographic imaging system. The process margin improvement is achieved through the novel placement of discrete assist features and/or the use of forbidden pitches and specific pitch orientations. Novel geometries are utilized, which take advantage of line-end pull back and/or a lack of resolution of pitches perpendicular to an axis of a dipole illumination source. The strategic placement of a series of discrete scatterbar segments on a mask near positions of critical features, such as, for example, contacts, mitigates resist residue that can result from the use of a contiguous scatterbar.
摘要:
Systems and/or methods are disclosed for measuring and/or controlling an amount of impurity that is dissolved within an immersion medium employed with immersion lithography. The impurity can be photoresist from a photoresist layer coated upon a substrate surface. A known grating structure is built upon the substrate. A real time immersion medium monitoring component facilitates measuring and/or controlling the amount of impurities dissolved within the immersion medium by utilizing light scattered from the known grating structure.
摘要:
A system for monitoring and controlling the deposition of thin films employed in semiconductor fabrication is provided. The system includes one or more acoustic and/or ultrasonic wave sources, each source directing waves onto one or more thin films deposited on a wafer. Waves reflected from the thin film is collected by a monitoring system, which processes the collected waves. Waves passing through the thin film may similarly be collected by the monitoring system, which processes the collected waves. The collected waves are indicative of the presence of impurities and/or defects in the deposited thin film. The monitoring system analyzes and provides the collected wave data to a processor, which determines whether adjustments to thin film deposition parameters are needed. The system also includes a plurality of thin film deposition devices associated with depositing thin films on the wafer. The processor selectively controls thin film deposition parameters and devices to facilitate regulating deposition.